The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011

Today

A century later, after weathering many squalls and several very dangerous storms, CYC is still going strong and addressing itself very seriously to the twin objectives of “promoting social intercourse” and “encouraging and promoting sailing and yachting.” The club’s statewide reputation for hospitality and fun-filled parties (on and off the water) and its international reputation for producing world class sailors and running highly respected regattas clearly fulfill the vision of the founding fathers. CYC is, however, a more vibrant club with a larger and far more diverse membership than the founding fathers would probably have predicted or desired. These members of the “sailing gentry” would, I’m sure, be astounded by CYC’s reputation as an open, friendly club and the pride members feel in the club’s inclusivity. The vibrant CYC of today stands on the shoulders of hard working club members who have, across the hundred years of her existence, sailed this ship through some very rough waters with skill, style, and above all an abiding sense of humor. During his term of office in 2002–2003, Past Commodore Fairlie Brinkley established what has become known as the CYC Historical Committee and asked it to begin collecting memories and memorabilia from long-time members in preparation for the club’s centennial year. Over the last eight years, Terri Roberts, Marie and Jim Lorenz, and I have had the great privilege of working on this project with some of CYC’s most tenured members.

Dave Perkins chaired the committee until he “crossed the bar” in 2010. Dave grew up at CYC. His parents joined the club shortly after moving to Clearwater in the 1920s, and he and his late wife Naomi joined in the 1940s. Thus, Dave’s experience with CYC spanned over seventy of its one hundred years of existence. Dave’s second wife Betty Wickman McGraw Perkins (a founding member of the women’s auxiliary group called the CYC Gulls) has been a member since 1943 when she and her first husband, the late Carl Robert Wickman, moved to Clearwater. Betty’s second husband, Riley McGraw, served as an officer of the club for many years and passed away while in the position of vice commodore in 1977. Commodore Spencer Scheideman gave him the honorary title of Permanent Vice Commodore of Clearwater Yacht Club . Peggy Word (another founding member of the Gulls) and her husband Robert also joined in the 1940s. In honor of Robert’s love of racing and long-time involvement with CYC’s sailing programs, Peggy established

Above : Dave and Betty Perkins standing in front of the steering wheel from the wreck of the SS Oakley Alexander (donated by Jack Taylor in 1936). Courtesy of Betty Perkins. Left: Commodore Gene Fleming giving Peggy Word the Community Service Award (2008). CYC Archives.

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